1. In security, the level of authority required from an entity to access a protected resource. Note: An example of access level is the authority to access information at a particular security level. [2382-pt.8] 2. [The] hierarchical portion of the security level used to identify sensitivity of information-system (IS) data and the clearance or authorization of users. Access level, in conjunction with the nonhierarchical categories, forms the sensitivity label of an object. [INFOSEC-99]